Make Like a Rock Star Find fashion inspiration in these 5 best-dressed bands

Make Like a Rock Star Find fashion inspiration in these 5 best-dressed bands

South by Southwest, the über-popular music festival in Austin, Texas, conjures up images of badges, booze and tech-savvy hipsters. It also brings to mind music—and lots of it. The buffet of bands appearing on the stages of Austin’s many bars and venues is rich in talent and diverse in genre. So in order to stand out from the rest, musicians need more than a catchy song; they need a discernable image. Here are five must-see SXSW artists who excel at harmonizing fashion and music. Listen to their songs and then steal their look.

After its ’60s-esque bedroom pop infiltrated the blogosphere last year, Cults owned the festival circuit, playing the stages of ACL, Coachella, Lollapalooza and more. The band’s core is composed of Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion. And aside from being one of the indie scene’s most swooned-over couples, these two have a dreamy fashion sense that echoes the twinkling xylophone floating through their music.

Some might say this band is a Smiths rip off or a Joy Division wannabe. But honestly, unless you hate everything good, you will enjoy The Drums. These Brooklynites know how to pump out breezy, clap-your-hands-along-to pop songs fueled by melodic bass and guitar lines. Just keep time with lead singer Jonathan Pierce’s delightfully awkward on-stage dance moves, and you’ll be grooving right along with the band’s impeccable hair and faddish outfits.

With his signature blend of disco punk, synths and hard electronic beats, 28-year-old Dylan Eiland is a sought-after producer in the indie-electro scene. He’s been DJing since age 15 and has played alongside acts like Justice, Crystal Castles, MSTRKRFT and more. Le Castle Vania puts on a high-energy, dance-or-go-home show, and his swooping super-blond hair and colorful wardrobe only add to the fun.

Grimes is 23-year-old Claire Boucher. She crafts industrial glitch-pop songs infused with an elfish falsetto and an array of influences ranging from Korean pop and Nine Inch Nails to Enya and Mariah Carey. Weird? Yes. But undeniably intriguing. Grimes’ third album, Visions, was released on February 21, and The New York Times calls it “one of the most impressive albums of the year so far.” See her live to check out how she weaves her own 2D art, video, dance and punk, kitschy fashion into the show.

Alternative hip-hop seems to be the best way to describe this Trinidad-bred rapper. His music possesses a New Wave flair and intertwines indie rock, electronica and hip-hop into a refreshing hybrid. Similar to Kid Cudi and Lupe Fiasco, London effortlessly switches between rapping and singing on his tracks. His clothes don’t miss a beat either. He was a fixture at New York Fashion Week and has collaborated with Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci and Cole Haan.